Getting Started with Information Governance: What You Really Need to Know

I know that many of you have recently gotten your certification in Information Governance from AIIM or ARMA (Congrats By The Way!!!!). Getting certified is an important step - but what's next?

You've just stepped into the world of Information Governance (IG), and I bet your head is already spinning. Don't worry – let's break this down into something more digestible.

First things first: Information Governance isn't just about managing data. It's about treating information as a valuable asset. Think of yourself as the curator of your organization's digital museum. Everything needs to be cataloged, protected, and accessible to the right people.

Start with your data inventory. You can't govern what you don't know about. Map out where your information lives – from those dusty network drives to the cloud services everyone's using. This isn't just a one-time thing; it's an ongoing process that needs regular updates.

Security comes next, but not the kind that puts everything under lock and key. Good IG means finding the sweet spot between protection and accessibility. Some data needs Fort Knox-level security; other information should be as open as your office coffee pot.

Speaking of coffee, let's talk about something that keeps executives up at night: compliance. Whether it's GDPR, CCPA, or industry-specific regulations, you need to know which rules apply to your organization. But here's the secret: good governance often naturally leads to compliance.

Data retention is your next focus. Not everything needs to be kept forever – in fact, keeping data too long can be as risky as not keeping it long enough. Create clear retention schedules that balance business needs, legal requirements, and practical constraints.

Now for the human element. The best policies in the world mean nothing if people don't follow them. You'll need to become part advocate, part educator, and part diplomat. Get ready to explain why proper information handling matters to everyone from the CEO to the newest intern.

Technology is your friend, but it's not your savior. Tools can help automate governance processes, but they need proper configuration and oversight. Don't fall into the trap of thinking software alone will solve your governance challenges.

Documentation is crucial, but keep it practical. Your policies and procedures should be clear enough that anyone can understand them, yet detailed enough to be meaningful. Think user manual, not legal treatise.

Let's tackle the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence. AI is revolutionizing how we handle information, but it's also creating new governance challenges. Whether it's the EU AI Act or other emerging government policies, the world is rapidly changing - and it's not just the speed at which new AI tools are coming to market. From managing AI-generated content to ensuring algorithmic transparency, your IG framework needs to account for these emerging technologies. Pay special attention to data quality – AI systems are only as good as the data they're trained on. And don't forget about the ethical implications: bias detection, model governance, and responsible AI practices should all be part of your governance strategy. Think of AI as both a powerful tool for improving governance and a new territory that needs governing itself.

Finally, remember that Information Governance is a journey, not a destination. Markets change, technologies evolve, and regulations update. Your governance framework needs to be flexible enough to adapt while remaining robust enough to protect your organization's information assets.

Build these fundamentals into your approach, and you'll be well on your way to effective Information Governance. Just remember: start small, think big, and keep moving forward. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a solid IG program.